- Shuhei Yoshida, the former president of SIE, reveals that Subscription Services like Game Pass are hazardous.
- He thinks that big companies can dictate the ideas of a game only if they provide a subscription platform.
- Even though the developer was pretty small, that didn’t happen with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.
Subscription services in the video game industry are very popular. However, as much as they are popular, they are hated by a massive fandom, too. That is because console manufacturers charge their consumers money to enable them to play online.
One of the most popular figures in the gaming industry, Shuhei Yoshida, recently discussed why subscription services can be dangerous. Yoshida said that playing games through only subscription services can be very harmful to the developers.
Why it matters: Yoshida is targeting Xbox here as the gaming giant is releasing almost every single one of its games to the subscription service.
Speaking to Game Developers at Gamescom LATAM, Shuhei Yoshida says that the rise of subscription services can be perilous, but at the same time says Sony has delivered a healthier subscription model, which almost doesn’t make sense given the fandom thinks opposite, but if you are aware who Yoshida is, this statement would make total sense.
For those unaware, Yoshida is the former boss of PlayStation, so the bias is pretty clear here.
If the only way for people to play games is through subscriptions that’s really dangerous, because what [type] of games can be created will be dictated by the owner of the subscription services.
-Shuhei Yoshida
Yoshida further says this is risky because small developers’ ideas must be implemented into video games. He says that if the big companies dictate what games can be created, the industry won’t advance.
While Shuhei Yoshida is a legendary figure in the gaming industry, his statements seem a bit unclear. If a game is being released on Xbox’s subscription, that doesn’t mean that Xbox is dictating the type of game the developers will make.
Also, regarding the statement that this can be harmful for the developers, it depends on the game. Doom: The Dark Ages didn’t perform well on any of the platforms, but most players gave it a try on the Game Pass and didn’t like it very much.
If the game had been good and not involved in any controversy, it would have sold just like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. So, Game Pass doesn’t hurt a game’s sales; it gives players an additional option.
What do you think about the statements made by Shuhei Yoshida? Do you agree with him? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below or join the official Tech4Gamers forums for discussion.
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[News Editor]
Obaid is pursuing a Law degree while working as a content writer. He has worked as a gaming writer for over three years because of his passion for the medium and reporting the latest updates in the industry. Having played hundreds of games, Obaid finds himself coming back to Elden Ring, Cyberpunk 2077, and Red Dead Redemption 2, with these games being among his favorites. He has also been mentioned on highly regarded websites, such as Wccftech, Metro UK, PS Lifestyle, GamePressure, VGC, and Gamespot.
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